I saw a print advertisement for the city of Palm Springs. It showed tanned, young people lounging in the sun by a majestic hotel spa façade. The caption read, “Master the art of doing nothing.” I thought about how so few of us practice this ancient art in these pressured and multi-tasking times. I also thought of how so many new technological devices have made silence, solitude and leisure a thing of the past, or a privilege confined only to hospitals and rest homes.

In Christian Meditation, we have to let go. We have to leave those moments in the hands of Christ to do with us as he will. In order to let go, we must first begin by mastering the art of doing nothing at all. We can’t tweak and tinker with things. We have to leave that to Christ.

Once we have emptied our mind of thoughts, debris, memories, song jingle melodies and all images and to-do lists, we can sink into the silence as Christ reveals the hidden layers of ourselves to ourselves. After all the buzz has been shut off, we can then seek, ask our questions and knock. “Christ, what do you think I should do about this?” We then wait in silence for the answer which will surely come. “Christ, how can I help build your Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth?” There is a particular purpose each of us has that no one else can fulfill. Listen closely for yours. Maybe you are already engaged in your purpose and are actively living the Christian life while building the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth.

Christ speaks many languages. He wears many faces. Christ reveals himself in a thousand different ways in every country in the world. He means different things to different people of many different faiths. All are welcome. All are seeking. And if we continue on the pilgrimage of Meditation, we will find him and find ourselves.